ASPIRING British Muslims embarking on the upcoming Haj pilgrimage were given training on how to perform the rituals for the Journey of a Lifetime hosted by the Council of British Hajjis (CBHUK) in partnership with the London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre. The training was delivered by qualified scholars over a series of events hosted in towns and cities across the United Kingdom. Hundreds attended eagerly to learn about Haj with doctors and travel industry experts delivering health & safety advice too. Dr. Ahmad Al Dubayan, director general of the London Central Mosque, urged pilgrims to learn the rituals of Haj so that they can gain maximum benefit from this act of worship as Haj touches peoples hearts and changes them for the better. He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for hosting the pilgrims and services provided to them and the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the development of the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and Masjid Al Haram to accommodate the faithful. He lauded efforts by Lord Adam Patel in leading the British Haj delegations and welcomed a new era of support for British pilgrims in partnership with CBHUK. Rashid Mogradia, CEO of the Council of British Hajjis (CBHUK), offered travel advice and how to stay safe during Haj. With millions performing various rituals of Haj at the same time at the same place, he stressed the importance of following instructions from the Tour Operators and Saudi officials on the ground for a smooth journey. The Council also offered health and safety advice preparing pilgrims for the Journey of a Lifetime. Mogradia thanked the Saudi Embassy in London for their continued help and support to British pilgrims and the Islamic Cultural Centre for a fruitful partnership in educating pilgrims. The City of London Police offered Haj fraud prevention advice to pilgrims to book with reputable and licensed tour operators and asked the community to report unscrupulous tour operators and fraudsters to Action Fraud and Trading Standards so that the authorities could take action against them. Haj is a journey of faith and one that every abled Muslim male and female, who has the financial means, is mature and sane must perform at least once in their lifetime. Around 19,000 British pilgrims are expected to travel to Makkah for Haj. This year Haj takes place Sept. 12
